health

The healthcare system in The Gambia is built around three levels which are Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. There are to date four referral hospitals which are operated by the government. In addition there are eight main health centres and a further sixteen smaller centres, more than two hundred mobile clinic unit teams as well as the Medical Research Council (MRC) which is funded by the UK Government. There are also a number of privately run clinics as well as a few health focused NGOs operating in The Gambia.

Primary Health Care: This is focused on villages with a population of over 400 individuals where a Village Health Worker and Traditional Midwife would be initially trained then assigned to deliver primary health care to their village of responsibility. They are responsible for providing out-patient care, community health education, ensuring there is a sufficient level of essential medicines and home visitations. Apart from the assisting mothers to be in home births the mid-wife would refer any mothers who seem to be at risk to the local health centres.

Secondary Health Care: At this level medical care is provided by the large and small health centres. There is around seven main government-run/private health centres, twelve smaller centres and 1nineteen pharmacies, with each providing in-patient and out-patient treatment. Each has its resident nurses, doctors and ancillary staff.

Tertiary Health Care: At this third level health services are delivered by four main referral hospitals, the Medical Research Council (MRC), several private clinics and NGO operated clinics. The main referral hospital is at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) in Banjul. The other three are located at Bansang, Farafenni and Bwiam.